www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, June 7, 2013 | 14 Blakelock teacher inspires students locally and abroad by Taneeta Doma Grade12, T.A. Blakelock H.S. very student's dream is to land themselves with a teacher who is knowledgeable but who also imparts a knowledge that extends far beyond the classroom, that inspires and motivates, that becomes role model material. I am fortunate enough to have that experience with my English teacher, Louise Loten. Her E efforts to push forward all those around her -- whether it is working with young orphans in Malawi through Iris Ministries or providing her Canadian students with all the knowledge that she has to offer -- paint a truly unique and inspiring picture. Mrs. Loten, through an organization called Iris Malawi, is currently preparing to return to the country for a two-year adventure in which she and her family immerse themselves in the European Engineering Combined With Traditional Workmanship "Building on the Brightest Ideas Around Glass" 905.849.0266 PUBLIC AUCTION HARDWOOD & ENGINEERED FLOORING LOCATION: 3620B LAIRD ROAD UNIT #6, MISSISSAUGA ON THURSDAY, JUNE 13TH, 2013 AT 7 PM PREVIEW: DAY OF SALE, THURSDAY, JUNE 13TH FROM 4PM TO SALE TIME diverse and potent culture and also pass on some of their own knowledge. The project is directed by David and Joanna Morrison of Oakville, who are philanthropists themselves. Iris Malawi is run like a village, rather than an orphanage, when it takes in orphaned children of the small town of Bangula and its surroundings. Unlike other organizations with some of the same aims, Iris Malawi raises the children as family, through elementary and high school, through trades and post-secondary education, further still to career and the beginning of their own families. Mrs. Loten will work specifically with women and girls living at the Iris orphanage, who have demonstrated a deep resilience despite the tragedies that they have had to face. At the Joe Martin Skills Training School -- named after the late devoted humanitarian Joe Martin and which provides training to students who live on the base and to Malawian villagers -- Mrs. Loten will be contributing to the education of women and girls. In the past, she says, education has been focused mostly on men due to the patriarchal culture, but it has been proven there the education of women can have a far greater effect. Even when disregarding the research, the simple call of justice says that half of the population cannot be ignored. With a history in social justice and a deepseeded passion for humanity, it's really not a surprise to see Mrs. Loten contributing to such a project. As a teacher, whether it is in Malawi or Canada, she wholeheartedly devotes herself to her students. To her, it doesn't matter where she teaches, as long as she can provide love and support to those who require it. And she has seen the results in action -- there are students in Malawi who believe in themselves and who are ready to take on the world. This project, Mrs. Loten says, is about pushing potential world-changers and innovators to the forefront with whatever assistance they need. It's not only about rescuing kids -- it's about training the future leaders of Malawi. Because behind every world-changer is an inspirer, and Mrs. Loten is certainly one of them. For more information on Iris Malawi, please visit www.irismalawi.org. 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